Karaoke Forums

It's hard to believe that no one cares. You know, before I became a KJ, I used to go to shows and offer suggestions to the host about the sound, equipment, etc. I've always chosen which versions I want to sing, and always asking to use the Shure wireless. Why? Because all of this (quality) was important to me. I've walked out of shows where the sound/kj were terrible. So, I think to some people, it does matter.

When I started doing this, I swore that I would only provide my customers a top notch quality show like the kind I would like to sing at.
I use Audio Technica wireless mics, Samsung flat screen LCD monitors, QSC amps, Yamaha speakers. And 90% of my music is Chartbuster and Sound Choice. The other 10% is DK. You won't find any SGB or other crap brands here. I use Compuhost and now with the kiosk. Let's not forget about the stage lighting.

Why? to provide my customers an experience that's different from what their going to get any place else. It's what sets me apart from the rif raf trash kj's.

So, Do you really think that all customers don't care? Or don't notice what we do? Or just don't give a (@$%&#!).

I don't know.

If Karaoke were to die out permanently why would anyone go to a bar?

I can drink my favorite drink (Jack Daniels Straight) at home cheaper
I don't have to worry about getting a DWI
I don't have to put up with the smoke
If I want to play pool I can buy a table for less then my equipment has set me back
If I want to set around with all my friends I can invite them over.

About the only reason I even go to a bar is for Karaoke.

Why do others do it?

I don't think that Karaoke will die out any more than I think Prohibition will come back.

Yea it's getting bad here to now we have NO REFUSAL WEEKENDS, which means if you are stopped for suspected being under the influence and you decline a breathalyzer test they haul you downtown and force you to give a blood sample.

Gee what a Nazi state we have become.

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I like everyone when I first meet them. If you don't like me that's not my problem it's YOURS!
A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet

Well, here in Utah, the laws and regulations for drinking are some of the strictest and most odd in the country for sure. On top of that, we have the lowest percentage of drinkers to non drinkers in the nation. The liquor commission and the state government have made it extremely difficult for bars to be profitable. Then you add the fact that a huge portion of the bar owners/managers don't have a clue how to run a business, it's a recipe for failure for sure. Only the lucky and smart few actually survive longer than a year or two. The already established bars/clubs aren't much better when it comes to making quality decisions. However, some do a great job. But those are far and few. There really are not very many clubs in Utah at all. In fact, the county I live in only has one bar, the county to the south has only 1 bar, the county to the west has only 1 bar, but where the biggest share of the population is, is in the county to the north. There are about 250,000 people in the county to the north, but there are only 11 bars total. So, you would think they would be busy.. not so!

Like I posted earlier, it's a grim outlook here for sure. Do I think they will all die? nope. I just think that karaoke will die off or change to something totally different. Clubs that were once fairly busy now find themselves with only a handful of customers. Owners and managers only willing to pay 50-75 bucks for entertainment, or maybe work for the door only. Karaoke hosting has become "diluted" to the point where the professionals now have to compete with a lot of schmucks who think by just buying the cheapest gear and push a couple of buttons, that they can themselves "Karaoke Host". It's hard for the guys like me who have been around for awhile and have really taken pride in our jobs. I'm not alone either.

Even if/when the economy turns around and goes on an upswing, do you honestly think that owners/managers will pay more for entertainment? I doubt it. They have become accustomed to paying these small fees and will not pay 150 or more when they have been paying 50 in the past. I just don't think it will happen. Karaoke is a losing proposition anymore in Utah.

I don't see karaoke totally dying off. People love to do it and have been for 30+ years. It can't be a fad, fads go away after a few years at best. So why would karaoke die off? I don't get it. I can see it degrading or contracting, but I don't think it will ever go away completely.

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[glow=red]Yo sucka, we need this hea CHOPTER, and we need it now![/glow]

I went to karaoke last night and the place was jammed, despite tons of feedback and plenty of skipping discs. KJ played my compilation discs without any of them skipping. Doesn't seem like Karaoke is dying in this part of the country. There are at least 3 or 4 other successful karaoke shows within a twenty minute drive on Saturday nights alone.

I definitely do not see the crowds I used to as when I first got into it, however I put that on oversaturation more than anything. It used to be people would drive out of their way to the closest karaoke place, but now they are in every corner bar, many don't have to go more than a few blocks in most areas.
But I have seen a decline in crowds over the last couple years mostly due to unemployment (in the higher % in the country) & raising gas prices (again higher than national avg) eating into people extra spending budgets.

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We are also in a rural area to the extent that you will have small towns, each with a few small bars and a long drive time to go to the next town. The stretches in between are heavily patrolled which deters driving to a "better" show. Yet we will get a big of it.

Small town attitude can mean that people will go to shows run by people they grew up with or shows where their friends go, despite the quality of the show. We are thinking we will lose one of our shows this week as the competing bar owner just bought his own system from a retired host and plans to have his staff run it. Unfortunately, his staff and their friends were our main group of singers so we will lose them. They actually tried to get the bar owner to hire us instead as they appreciated having the newer music and the touches that we put into the show but he was determined to outsmart everyone and not have to pay us. His show may do well as it will be friends hanging out with friends but the last time that system ran in that bar interest faded after a bit. He may find his show fizzles if he doesn't buy new music and keep it fresh but by then we will be out of a job and both owners will probably conclude that karaoke just doesn't work in that town. There just isn't enough employed population to sustain too many karaoke shows there.

We have one show that has been consistantly crowded (knock on wood) but the tills are not what you would expect from the number of people there. Lots of nursing a pitcher of draft due to the jobless rate. But the two karaoke nights are keeping the place going for now.

Third show is in a larger town with more potential but the competition from other shows has included spreading rumors that our venue went out of business, etc. The other thing is that the singers now have their own hard drives and have karaoke parties at home. No need to pay a host for a private party. Just another thing eating away at income potential.

There are alot of things that can contribute to the "better" show not winning--everything from bar staff attitude to comfortableness of seating to too warm vs too cold to reputation of bar as far as fights to drink prices, etc. We have casinos that can subsidize dollar drinks which can cut into a regular bar's business. At one point the owner thought people were tanking up across the street then walking over and drinking soda at our venue. As karaoke people tend to come and stay for long periods of time rather than bar hop, the comfortableness of the bar and the atmosphere are important.

It is difficult what to predict the final outcome will be. We have found that people do appreciate a show that pays attention to sound, buys new music and doesn't have a rude host. But with so many other competitions, be they legal or not legal, and a limited employed population base, it is hard to stay in business long enough to win everyone over.

Scott, have you ever considered moving to another state? Just wondering.

Alan, simply "no". Definitely not a consideration at all. Despite what the economy is here, this is "home" and will always be. I am a firm believer in having "roots". And moving really wouldn't solve much of anything at all. Utah's economy is actually better than most of the country, which is seriously scary to think about. So, it would be like jumping from the pan to the fire, in my opinion. Not to forget the fact that we own our home, (no payments) and we are living on family property that has been in my wifes family since 1868. We are of Scandinavian heritage, and family ties run deep with us. So, around here, we do what we have to do to survive. Even if it means making career changes. That is what I am in the process now. Going in a totally different direction than karaoke. Although, the karaoke possibilities will always be available when called upon.

I am happy to hear that some areas are doing well enough to keep it going, but Utah just isn't one of them. Leopard Lizard hit on something that is a main factor as well around here. And that is home based parties. No need to hire a host or go to a bar when it's so easy just to set up a home party in someones basement. That's all people around here who are really into karaoke want, they want the chance to sing in front of a few friends. The bar goers that sing, couldn't care less if they are singing, or dancing, or playing pool,,,, but karaoke is not alive and well around here.

You misunderstand Danny.
It ts not the responsibility of the manu's. to play detective
It is the responsibility of the authorities who are not doing their job.
It seems they only police what they want to police.

We actually had this same conversation pretty recently did we not.
I asked the very same question.

The problem is that karaoke is one source of income.
You need more.

I see there is a lot of issues in smaller towns, but up here in the Bay Area, we are rocking. Made over $300 this last Friday at my San Mateo spot, plus $270 on Thursday, which usually only averages $150 a night. I don't forsee karaoke going anywhere anytime soon, especially with ABC announcing plans to follow around the KWC this year.

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Wam bam thank you m'am.

I think Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez will be good for karaoke. Nice to see a rocker putting in some time on AI.

I agree with Alan B. Quality show is mandatory!

Karaoke is alive & well where I’m at (Northern California). SRO every Friday & Saturday nights. 40 singers minimum, only two rotations in 5 hours time. 3rd round at times but only a handful will sing.

I’ve often ask myself why it’s always busy here but the surrounding venues aren’t doing as well? I think there are a lot of factors involve that affect business:

Location, location, location
a. Nice excellent location, (downtown business area, commercial buildings, family chain restaurants). We are located in downtown district.
b. Mediocre location (not too far, but not too close to any good restaurants or shopping areas)
c. The dreaded lousy location (dive bars, rundown block of deteriorating neighborhood).

But irregardless of your location, check out the competition. Why are others quite successful in bringing in the crowds? You need to remain up to date and ahead with the competition.

You’ve got to spend money to make money. Upgrade your system, invest in quality components for better sound; clean & organized books, buy new songs every month, or subscribe to manus’ yearly subscriptions. Try hard to be a cut above the rest, i.e., professionalism, common courtesy, appearance and pride is essential. Hopefully, you’ll turn the tide and make it work in your favor. Not just hard work but smart work is the key. You will reap the benefits eventually. Good luck & good wishes!

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To be fortunate enough to derive an income from a source as fulfilling as karaoke music has got to be as close to heaven as we can get here on earth!

I think the main reason people go to bars is loneliness. Karaoke is a lot of fun fopeople who wouldn't normally go to a bar, but a lot of the regulars are very lonely people.

For success to be achieved, we must never stop the upgrading process. If I may post what my rig consist of. A little off topic, but just to give you an idea. Of course, some are probably outdated but still give that “quality” sound. I welcome your suggestions. Most of these upgrades were suggested from this forum.

HP WinXP Laptop/Sax&Dottys Program with Lexicon Alpha Sound Card
(will upgrade next month to Win7 Compuhost program)
Dell XPS Laptop for computerized name rotation projected on TV
DBX 166XL Compressor/Limiter/Gate
Two Aphex 107 Mic Pre-Amp
BBE882i Sonic Maximizer
DBX2215 Equalizer
Shure ULXP4 with Countryman E6 Headset (my mic for talking/announcing)
Shure UC w/ handhheld Beta58
Shure ULXP4 w/ handheld Beta58
Shure U124D w/ Dual handheld Beta58
Shure SH55 Series II Gold Plated Elvis Mic on stand
Pioneer DJM5000 Mixer
Pioneer PDV-10G cdg player
Pioneer V550 DVD/CDG/VCD Player
iPod for bumper music
2 seven inch Hanspree LCD monitor TV left & right (my own visual - one for song playing, the other, next cued song)
19” Vizio LCD monitor for singers
DBX DriveRack PX for Powered Speakers
Four Powered QSC HPR122i tops
Powered QSC HPR151i Subwoofer

4 pieces of LED stage lighting (no fog)
14 sets of books
One Dell Inspiron Laptop for customer’s use to easy access song library
Behind me are 12 cd binders with 2,200 original cdg’s - 70% SC’s, 20% CB’ters, 10% PopHits

All of the above are on stationary set-up.

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To be fortunate enough to derive an income from a source as fulfilling as karaoke music has got to be as close to heaven as we can get here on earth!

Copyright or trademark suits are civil suits and there is no investigative service who looks for those infringements. In fact copyright and trademarks are only in place to provide relief when you can prove a loss from someone's activity.

The copyright and trademark holders are responsible for protecting their properties. In fact if they see someone using their property incorrectly they have to address it. If they don't they risk losing the ability to exercise them in the future since they didn't protect them in the past.

I have to agree with the "cycles" concept.

I had six shows contracted for the Dec-Apr ski season.

3 of them are year round. 2 of them are seasonal and one of them opted out of the contract after 5 weeks claiming that they couldn't change their image as a late night club.

One of those shows is going into it's 6th year and we have done record sales in the last two weeks after watching things slowly ramp up again late this summer. The previous 18 months had been down and depressingly flat but it seems that something has changed and even though I'm not certain what is driving that change, I sure don't mind it.

I've had as many as 7 weekly shows booked in the last 6 years and as few as one. I'm continually expanding/updating my cdg collection as well as creating business relationships with US karaoke manufacturers. I also keep my technology updated and provide the best sound I can provide whether I am using the house system or my own mobile set-up. I'm pretty well isolated up here in the mountains and my only competition drove themselves out by their attitude and behavior. For the record, they were cdg based, but they did have a few burns.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that though the variables vary widely from area to area, I still expect the ups and downs. Just gotta prepare for them. Also have to be a realist as to how far down you are willing to go before stepping off.

Best of luck to you, whatever decision you make.

Article I Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress the power (and therefore the responsibility) to enforce trademarks and patents:

"To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;"

I will stop right there to avoid injecting politics into this forum.

Who like to drink a lot.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.